Steps to Developing a Career Plan

One way to remove uncertainty about your future is to develop a career plan. A career plan outlines the steps you need to take to reach your career goal. A career goal helps you focus on what you want to do for a living. Thinking about what you want to do and what you have to do to accomplish those goals can help you find a satisfying career.

1. Know yourself. Make a list of skills you have. Your skills may include training or experience gained through part-time or full-time jobs.
2. Identify job interests. To determine your interests, think about what you like to do. Think about experiences you have enjoyed. Evaluate what you liked, what you found challenging and what you may have learned from those experiences.
3. Determine how to make it happen. Once you have determined what career path you want to follow, assess what you need to do to prepare for that career.

By developing a career plan, you can focus on what you want to do and how to get there. And when you are ready to write your resume, you will have a better understanding of your skills and experiences to present to potential employers.

Evaluate yourself

The first step toward finding a new job is self-assessment. Knowing what you like to do, what you are good at, what your strongest skills are and what is important to you will guide you in your job search. It will also help you market yourself to potential employers. If you can describe the skills you have and how they relate to the job you are applying for, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the job.

Know what you want

• Do you want full or part-time work?
• What shift do you want to work?
• How far are you willing to travel to work?
• What kind of work environment do you prefer?
• How much do you want to earn?

Know what you like

• Do you like to work with people?
• Do you prefer to work in a team or independently?
• Do you like numbers?
• Do you like to be creative?
• Do you like to work with things (e.g. computers, tools, machines, etc.)?

Know your skills

We all have many skills, but it is important to know how to categorize and present your skills to potential employers. Typically, skills are divided into three categories:

1. Transferable skills - General skills that can be used in a variety of jobs. Examples include problem solving, written communication, organization, motivation, etc.
2. Job-related skills - Skills that are specific to a job. Examples include typing speed, phone skills, computer programs, driving a forklift, etc.
   
3. Personal (Adaptive) skills - Skills that relate to your personality. Examples include good attendance, enthusiasm, punctualality, honesty, loyalty, dependability, etc.

Capturing the right blend of skills and interests and communicating that information to a potential employer can be the key to a new job.